March 11, 2010

Michael Gieseke ’10 receives American College of Bankruptcy Distinguished Law Student award

Michael Gieseke ’10 didn’t win the 2010 American College of Bankruptcy Distinguished Law Student award by waiting for opportunity to knock. He built the door himself and walked on through.

Gieseke wanted to study bankruptcy law both inside and outside of the classroom, and with the support of Professors Eileen Roberts and Greg Duhl, he created his own learning opportunities and then shared his experiences with his classmates.

Gieseke is just one of six students in the nation to receive this prestigious award from the honorary professional and educational association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals. Only half of the 11 circuits in the U.S. Court of Appeals select a student to recognize each year. Gieseke was chosen from among students at law schools in the 8th Circuit, which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

“This is as good as it gets for students in the bankruptcy world,” said Duhl, executive editor of The Business Lawyer who nominated Gieseke for the award. Duhl gave Gieseke the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence for outstanding performance in his bankruptcy class.

“Mike has an impressive work ethic and inquisitiveness,” Duhl said. “He’s a student who wants to do it all, so we helped him make it happen. Mike then shared what he learned with other students in the classroom. That is what William Mitchell is all about.”

From interning for Nancy Dreher, chief judge for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Minnesota, to working as a summer associate at Briggs and Morgan, to externing at the Bruzek Law Office, a small consumer-oriented firm in St. Paul, Gieseke did it all in just 2½ years.

“Mitchell has a flexible curriculum with more opportunities than other law schools,” Gieseke said. “The best part of the experience for me was the support and mentoring I received from Professors Roberts and Duhl.” Gieseke worked as a research assistant for both Roberts and Duhl. Roberts helped him find the judicial internship and Duhl mentored Gieseke in the law firm externship.

“I enjoy practicing bankruptcy law because you can help people who are at a tough spot in their lives,” Gieseke said. “I am humbled and honored to receive this award and have the opportunity to with respected jurists and professionals."

Gieseke will receive the award March 12-13 at the College’s Annual Induction Ceremony and Events at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.